This Week: The Apostles' Creed- Article Three​Background Info: (Taken from Colaborate Leader Guide)Each article of the Apostles’ Creed addresses one person of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.The First and Second Articles describe the work of God as Creator and Jesus as Redeemer. Interestingly,the Third Article simply says, “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” and then goes onto name some key places andways the Spirit is at work. No description, no character traits,just a list of other stuff we believe.

Maybe that’s because defining the Holy Spirit is an impossible task. Like love, like freedom, like comfort,we know when it’s there and when it’s not, but it’s still difficult to define. And while nailing down adefinition is like trying to pin a wave on the sand, the Bible offers us guidance about the role of the HolySpirit. Jesus promised that when he was no longer with the disciples, he would send “the Spirit of truth”(John 14:16) to be with them—and us forever. It’s not a coincidence that the Third Article of the Creedprofesses belief in the church—the community gathered to hear God’s word, to receive the forgivenessof sins, and to be fed with Christ’s body and blood before being sent back into the world equipped for itsmission. Martin Luther explained the Holy Spirit as the one who calls and gathers the church, sanctifyingus and creating our faith in God and Christ. The Holy Spirit completes the most personal role, sustainingus in faith.

This lesson is a chance to talk about the ways in which we notice God’s presence—God’s Spirit—at workin our lives. It will lend itself to moments of real discovery for students who might have had a gut feelingabout something or felt convicted or moved to action and not really known why. There is potential here forsome profound moments of recognition and growth.

​Share a high from the past week.Share a low from the past week.Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well!

Acts 2:1-13 New Living Translation (NLT)The Holy Spirit Comes2On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.​13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Flip back to Jesus' words in Acts 1:8. Jesus spoke these words to the disciples before leaving them; he was equipping them to continue his work on earth following his ascension. Having read about the Holy Spirit's arrival in Jerusalem, what do you think Jesus wanted the disciples to do next? How have you been equipped to carry on this work now?

God, may we be Called, Gathered, Enlightened and Sanctified through the power of your Holy Spirit today and always! Amen.

End your time together with the following blessing, marking the cross of Christ on your forehead as a reminder of your baptism. Parents/Guardians be sure to have your child mark your forehead as well!